Despite gap in age, Duncan and Leonard are kindred spirits

Spurs legend Tim Duncan is known almost as much for his taciturnity as his fundamental greatness. So it comes as something of a surprise that he almost sounded offended in joking (we think) that Kawhi Leonard, his 22-year-old teammate, never speaks to him.

“I don’t think he’s ever talked to me, honestly,” Duncan said when asked if Leonard ever seeks him out for advice.

Leonard disputed that allegation on Tuesday, but only just.

“I talk to him here and there,” he said, “but Tim doesn’t talk either. It’s not going to be a long conversation.”

And why waste time with words, when you can let your game do the talking?

Duncan, 38, and Leonard might as well be twins in that regard despite being separated by enough years that the former could conceivably be the latter’s father. Indeed, Leonard said Manu Ginobili — despite being barely a year younger, with a considerably less robust head of hair than Duncan — delights in pointing out the disparity.

But while Leonard might not actively seek Duncan out, he is most definitely watching as the future Hall of Famer ages about as gracefully as any big man in NBA history.

“Just very calm, even keeled,” said Leonard, who wouldn’t seem to need much guidance in terms of demeanor. “Very competitive on the floor. He just wants to win. You can see how he played last night.”

Duncan had his latest turn-back-the-clock masterclass with 27 points — more than any other player but Kevin Durant — as the Spurs hammered Oklahoma City 122-105 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. It tied for the 18th-highest total in postseason history among players 38 or older, a list including the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Reggie Miller.

Despite being so young that he remembers Scottie Pippen as a Portland Trail Blazer, rather than a Chicago Bull, Leonard marvels at Duncan’s longevity.

“It’s great,” Leonard said. “His drive, being that old, playing 17 years in the NBA and still wants to be the best player on the floor is just fantastic. It motivates me. I mean…his age isn’t old, but 17 years in the NBA is a long time. Seventeen years and still wanting to be one of the best players on the floor is just insane.”

Duncan is similarly impressed with Leonard, who is so business-like he said he eschews music before games lest he interfere with tasks like lifting weights or getting his ankles taped.

“I think the best thing about him, or about his situation is he’s been able to grow into it,” Duncan said. “There hasn’t been a lot thrust on his shoulders right out of the gates. He’s been able to develop and grow, not under a microscope but on his own terms and on his own time.

“Every year he comes in here and (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) puts a little more on him and asks him to do a little more and he shows he can do a little more. At this point he can probably do a lot more but he continues to play within our system and he’s been great for us.”

Even playing within the system, Leonard continues to shine in his unique, all-around way. He had 16 points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists and one blocks in Game 1 while helping contain Durant to 28 points. It marked the 27th time this season he scratched in all five categories.

“He does a lot for us,” Popovich said. “We’re kinda letting him go a little bit. Frankly, try not to coach him too much. Just let him play.”

Popovich once took the same tact with a certain No. 1 overall pick out of Wake Forest all those years ago. It marks yet another similarity between two players separated by what counts as an eternity in the NBA, yet so similar in so many different ways.